[h1][color=red]Reckoning[/color][/h1]

Vlad sat in the dark ballroom at the head of a long table. The mansion was one of his many holdings across London. The other four figures that graced the room were less than pleased to be there. The Council brothers shifted uneasily in their seats as the Dark Lord let his gaze travel across all four of them. None of them dared to make eye contact. The only person who did not appear to be in a foul mood was the Countess who sat to Vlad’s right. 

The palpable displeasure radiating from Vlad stopped Ventrue in his tracks when he opened his mouth to speak. Ravnos simply sat back in his chair and waited. The other clans had been the ones who had declared all but open warfare. While Thomas display had been a problem it was doubtful that Vlad’s wrath would fall too heavily on the house. Gangrel and Malkavian however had a lot to answer for. 

“I asked for a display of your competence to lead and I get a gang war in the streets of London. How am I supposed to take this? Maybe I was wrong in considering any of you for my throne. Perhaps another few hundred years will teach some more wisdom.” 

None of the other Council members opened their mouths. It was quite clear that any sort of excuse would not be helpful in the slightest. Vlad continued with his tirade, litting into each of them individually. Ventrue for his pure idiocy, Ravnos for his indiscretion, Malkavian and Gangrel for their sheer blatant warfare.

As Vlad continued the other council members didn’t notice the shift in the shadows of the ballroom. An unnatural stirring as the shadow’s detached themselves from the walls. [i]Your reign is over[/i] The oilcloth hiss stopped the tirade as beings cloaked in black robes with their faces covered appeared from the shadows. Without warning they descended upon the council members. They were fast and lethal, showing vampiric strength and speed. 

A pack of them fell on Vlad with curved daggers. In a bellow of rage the lord of the Underworld scattered the would be assassins like dry leaves. The other members of the council responded in similar fashion flinging the assassins away from them. Vlad tore into the downed assassins snapping their necks and limbs like dry twigs. In the chaos another shadow detached from the wall and hurled a metal dart at the Lord of the Underworld. Like a lightning strike Vlad moved out of the way and snarled turning on the new assailant. The vampire faded back into the shadows at the last second as Vlad’s fist tore a massive hole in the stone wall where its head had been.

“What the hell..?” Vlad turned back to survey the damage. Ventrue was crouched like a goblin on the chest of slowly dying assassin. Gangrel was checking the entrances but what caught Vlad’s eye was the Countess lying on the ground. A thin metal spine embedded in her shoulder. Her breathing was shallow as Ravnos held her hand checking her pulse and Malkavian held her head gently in his lap.

Looking up a shadow of fear crossed Ravnos face “My Lord...she’s been poisoned.”